All eyes on Rags to Riches
NEW YORK — What's next for Rags to Riches?
The first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years was in fine form Sunday, a day after her extraordinary victory over Preakness winner Curlin in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
"You can tell she ran a race, but she wasn't exhausted and laying down in her stall," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "She was ornery as ever in the morning."
Pletcher already is looking at a summer and fall season for his star 3-year-old filly, one which could include taking on the boys again in the Travers on Aug. 25, or even the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 27. A 4-year-old campaign is in the cards, too.
"These guys are sportsmen," Pletcher said of owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who bought Rags to Riches for $1.9 million. "Obviously, we wouldn't have been in the Belmont if they weren't. They have a lot of horses and breed a lot of horses, and they say as long as the filly's OK, she'll race next year."
Pletcher said Rags to Riches likely will start next in the Coaching Club American Oaks for fillies on July 21 at Belmont Park. Then, he said, it's either the Alabama for fillies on Aug. 18 or the Travers, racing's "Midsummer Derby" already on Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense's schedule. Curlin could be there, too.
"That could be awesome, a race for the ages," said Pletcher. "She added a lot to the race yesterday, and by winning it she'll add more to any race she goes into from here on out."
Beating the boys elevated Rags to Riches to celebrity status, and her every move will be followed over the next few months — all because she beat Curlin by a head after a thrilling stretch-long duel and became the third filly to take the Belmont. Ruthless took the inaugural in 1867 and Tanya won in 1905.
"My hat is off to the owners, they deserve a lot of credit for running the filly," said Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, whose C P West led for a mile before finishing fifth in the seven-horse field. "They have to get the accolades, along with Pletcher and (jockey) Johnny Velazquez. We all saw history because of it."
